Do children get free NHS eye tests?

[Longstocking2]

do you go through the gp?

[clayre]

Yes they do! I went to the gp with dd and they told me there was nothing wrong, so i went to the optician and they said they wouldnt test her if the gp said there was nothing wrong, that was when she was 3, at 5 she got her eyes tested at nursery and was referred to the childrens eye clinic as her sight was terrible, with ds i just cut out the middle man and asked at one of dd's appointments if they would check him and he needed glasses too.

[mummytime]

Just go to an optician, they will willingly test kids eyes for free (you just fill in a form). Most are used to doing it before kids know their letters.

[mollymole]

all children under 16 are allowed at leat 1 free eye test a year on the NHs and more often if the opticians recommends it.16-18 year old are entitled to 1 free eye test every 2 years if they are still in full time education - again, more often if the optician recommends
i know that this is correct - i work in an opticians

[lazymumofteenagesons]

Until he finished school at 18 DS1 has had at least 1 free eye test per year. When I took him in after 6 months they said it was too early I told them he couldn't see properly with these glasses so he needed a test. It seems they will do a test more frequently in these circumstances and as long as the prescription has changed your don't have to pay.

You do have to pay for contac lens check ups though

[smokinaces]

DS1 has been wearing glasses for a year, since he was 3. We went into specsavers and asked for an appointment - just had to sign a form for them to claim it from NHS

[Mistymoo]

If you are in Scotland then eye tests are free for everyone.

[MillyMollyMardy]

I took ds 3 this week. It was done on the NHS (although I hadn't asked I'd just booked him as we both wear glasses and wanted him checked)
They showed him pictures rather than letters, shone lots of lights in his eyes and amazingly he was good.

[Longstocking2]

Thanks very much! I should have just checked on nhs direct but was feeling dopey when I asked this!
ds (9) getting the odd headache so I thought I'd better check. Should do it annually of course!